whatever their chosen genre ?
Although greater numbers of BAME authors give the impression of widening inclusivity, these writers, for all their achievements, are often expected to write about identity whatever their chosen genre.

Hi. Does the sentence need an “is” after “genre” for it to work? It seems to me it should be “... whatever their chosen genre is” since “whatever” is a pronoun here.
If not, why is the original sentence grammatical?

Thank you.

Question

whatever their chosen genre ?
Although greater numbers of BAME authors give the impression of widening inclusivity, these writers, for all their achievements, are often expected to write about identity whatever their chosen genre.

Hi. Does the sentence need an “is” after “genre” for it to work? It seems to me it should be “... whatever their chosen genre is” since “whatever” is a pronoun here. 
If not, why is the original sentence grammatical?

Thank you.

Answer

No, it doesn't It's fine with, or without, but sounds more natural without.
I don't know the grammar, but it is a relatively standard construction.

Answer

A basic guideline: If something was written by a literate native speaker, it is  unlikely that whatever they wrote "doesn't work". In a relatively complex sentence like this, it is extremely unlikely. If what they have written doesn't fit the grammar you have been taught, is more likely an issue with the grammar, rather than the writing. Remember that English grammar is descriptive, not prescriptive.
Sorry, but I have answered so many questions here, where English learners suggest that some writing they don't understand is incorrect, yet in their question they fail to even conjugate their verbs correctly, or get plurals correct. Your writing is fine, but perhaps you can see the irony?

Answer

I had to look this one up. Whatever is not just a pronoun. It can be used in many different parts of speech. In this sentence, "Whatever" is being used as a conjunction.
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/whatever_1

I think it needs another comma after "identity" but, British English might not have a comma.

I hope that helps!

Answers · 3

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